Flash light



Nov. 20, 1928.

C. OSEAN FLASH LIGHT Filed Feb. 2, 1925 M a R A *H i3 gnmntoi;

Patented Nov. 2 0, 1928.-

, UNITED STATES CHARLES OSEAN, 0F WOODCLIEF, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TONATIONAL COMPANY, INC., AHCORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE.

cannon FLASH-LIGHT.

Application filed February 2, 1923 serial 1%. 616,566.

object of this invention is therefore to provide a simple meansforretaining the focusing device in any position of adjustment. Morespecifically, the invention aims to provide such a retaining or lockingmeans for a type of focusing flashlight in which the focus is altered bythe adjustment of the rearend cap, an example of which is shown anddescribed in application Serial No. 466,639, filed May 4, 1921, in thename of Lee J. Voorhees.

The above and other objects and the novel features of the invention willbe apparent from the following description taken in connection with thedrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a central sectional view of aflash light embodying thisinvention, and

Fig. 2 is an'enlarged view of the improved locking means, showingthesamepartly in section and partly in 3O elevation.

Broadly speaking, the object of the invention is attained by releasablylocking. the focusing device at any one of its positions of adjustmentas by means of a metal locking ring that is adjustable alongthe'flashlight casing into engagement withan adjustable end cap toretain the latter in any one of its.

numerous positions of adjustment.

Referring to Fig. 1, the invention is shown as applied to a well knowntype of flashlight that has a battery B which is in circuit with a lampL disposed in front of a reflector A. The lamp and reflector aresupported at one end of the flashlight casing C which has a ca K adj ustably coupled to the rear end thereo The end cap K carries a metal shellI) therein which engages the battery B, the other end of which abutsagainst the holder H .that carries the lamp L. A spring P acts to keepthe holder H always in engagement with the upper central terminal of thebattery. By adjusting the cap K toward the left in 1, the holder H maybe moved against the tension of the spring P to adjust the lampL-outwardly along the focal axis of the reflector, and the spring P willact to move the lamp L the casing may be of and battery B inwardly whenthe cap K is adjusted in the opposite direction. The usual switch S andsuitable conductorsare provided to complete the circuit to light the Vlamp L.

In order to securely retain the end cap K in any one of its positions ofadjustment and thereby prevent the accidental alteration of the focusand lightbeam of the flashlight, a locking ring Ris concentricallymounted on the outside of .the flashlight casing so as to be adjustableinto and out of engagement,

withthe cap K to clamp the same. In theparticular arrangement disclosedthe skirt or flange K of the end-cap is provided with a helical threadwhereby it may be coupled to a similarly threaded portion at the rearend of the flashlight casing and may also'be adusted. axially byrotating the cap. The

flashlight casing C may be entirely of metal so that the necessarythreads may be formed in the rear end thereof, or as shown, the body orfiber and a threaded metal fitting F- ma be secured thereto by rivets F.The locking ring R, as illustrated, desirably consists of a tubularmetal shell having a. threadT extending inwardly from one ed e adaptedto interfit with thethreads on the tting F, sothat by rotating theringit will move axially along the fitting F toward and away from theedge of the flange K that also interfits with threads on the fitting F.The other end of the locking ring R has a bead R that projects slightlybeyond the outline of-the threaded part of the ring and provides acorersponding interior groove G into which the end of the flange Kprojects when outer surface of the bead R and a portion of the cap K maybe knurled to facilitate the ad- 'ustment of theseparts. When the capKis eing ad usted to alter the beam from the lamp L, the ring R is out ofengagement there with, and after the desired beam is'obtained, the rinis rotated to move it toward the edge of the flhnge K. The open end N isof slightly greater diameter than the end of the flange K so that thelatter will bind against the fit-v ting F when it is engaged by thecamming surface G of the locking ring. This tight-- ening of the ring Ralso causes its forward edge to grip the flange K, preventing looseningof the cap and any accidental change of focus. If a change of focus isdesired, the retaining ring B may be quickly loosened direction toobtain the desired focus, after which the ring B may be rotated toreturn it to its clamping position.

The improved ring is particularly advantageous because it may be readilyapplied to focusing flashlights now in use without any change in theconstruction of the latter. Minor changes in the construction of thering may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention orsacrificing any of its advantages.

I claim 1. A flashlight comprising the combination of a lamp; areflector; a battery in circuit' with said lamp; a casing for saidlamp,-re flector and battery; an end cap adjustably coupled to saidcasing and carrying means engaging said battery to adjust the latter andsaid lamp to vary the beam of the light there from, and a threaded ringadjustable on said casing to cooperate with said end cap and lock thelatter in any desired adjusted position.

2. A flashlight comprising the combination of a reflector; a lampadjustable along the axis thereof; a battery in circuit with said lamp;a casing for said lamp, reflector and battery -having a threadedportion. at the rear end thereof; means for adjusting saidlamp along thereflector'axiscomprising a rear end cap for said casing having athreaded flange coupling said capto the threaded portion of said casinand permitting the axial adjustment of said cap; and means for securingsaid cap at any one of its adjusted positions comprising an adjustablering having a thread'fitting the threaded portion of said casing andhaving a grooved portion receiving the edge of said flange and bindingthe latter against said casing.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 in which 7 Said grooved portion isof slightly greater diameter than said flange and is knurled on itsexterior surface.

4. In a flashlight, the combination with a lamp, a reflector, a batteryin circuit with the lamp, and a casing for said lamp, reflector andbattery; of a threaded member fast on the casing, adjusting meansscrewable along the threaded member for relatively adjusting the lampand the reflector, and a locking ring also screwable along the threadedmember and effective simply by engaging with the peripheries of thethreaded member and the adjustingmeans to lock the adjusting means inany position desired. a

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CHARLES OSEAN.

